If 40% of a number is 56, what was the original number?

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Answer 1 · 2016-11-02T08:38:15

Original number is #140#

Any percent question can be done as a direct proportion.

In this case we have:

"If 56 represents 40%, how much is 100%?"

#56/40 = ?/100#

Using equivalent fractions.....

#56/40 xx 2.5/2.5= 140/100#

The original number was 140.

Using cross-multiplying:

#56/40 = x/100#

#40x = 56xx100#

#x = (56xx100)/40#

#x = 140#